Today I woke up to a perfect and cloudless California morning. Sipping coffee on the porch and listening to the chatter of the farm, I found myself thinking about how quickly this year has gone by and how I will manage leaving a place I have developed such a deep connection to. In just one week, I will be moving back to North Carolina and the decision to do so wasn't easy. Just a few months ago, I was craving a new environment, itching for a new adventure, and not wanting to be in the town I grew up in.
The second I moved to California, the adventure and beauty of it drew me in and instantly, I fell in love. I was surrounded by incredibly smart and forward thinking people, captivating landscapes and days of endless sunshine, but I often felt myself missing the pieces of me that I left behind. Leaving home is never easy, but I also think it is hard to establish a life for yourself if you don't take some time to be away from it to figure out who you are and how you can make the most of the little piece of eternity each of us has been given.
California has allowed me to focus on these two things and it has forced me to think about the other things in life I value most. Through my work, I am driven to make an impact and this year I have had the opportunity to work with an amazing organization and discover a new career into which I can put my passion and my skills. I have had the opportunity to live on a farm in order to become more aware of the choices I make and how they impact the land on which I live. I have had the opportunity to continue grow spiritually by immersing myself into a new community of diverse cultures, ideas and perspectives.
I will miss the California sunshine like crazy but I am looking forward to being close to my family, friends and community that I love and have missed this past year. I'm not quite sure where my journey will take me next, but the experience and knowledge I have gained here is something I will take with me wherever I may go.
Over the next week while I frantically finish up projects, pack up my room and prepare for my next big move, I will be creating a comprehensive list of all things California that I will miss and another of all things Carolina that I am looking forward to!
